NaNoWriMo season is underway and I couldn’t be more prepared if I lived in a friggin’ Barnes & Noble!
This year, I’ve got my kitchen stocked to the ceiling with delicious and healthy snacks, treats, and drinks; I’ve got my motivational accouterments scattered about my office; and I’ve got every app, song, and inspirational piece of work I’ll need to keep myself strung out on word juice for the next thirty days.
If you’re looking to feel as prepared as me – and to kick ass at NaNo like also me – then take a gander at my NaNoWriMo Surival Kit and get yourself properly prepped.
Must Have Equipment
First up: writing equipment. Prep work means nothing if you forget to bring your pen/pencil/laptop to the party. And since my neighborhood is surrounded by roosters, my prep work means nothing without a quality set of noise-canceling headphones, *ahem* thing 1 on the list:
Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones
Scrivener
My Favorite Mugs
My Rocketbook Notebooks
Frixon Pens (for Rocketbooks)
Paper-Based Bullet Journal (for habit tracking)
RED PENS
Macbook Pro
Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse
Adjustable Laptop Stand
Office Desk Yoga Ball
Standing Desk
White Board For Motivational Quotes
Nag Champa Incense
Fleece Slippers
Wireless Mini Speaker (for office cafe vibes)
Mini Post-It's
Must Have Food Stuffs
Next up: sustenance. Writing this much can be taxing. It can also make you forget about tax and keep writing throughout the day with nary a single break. Give yourself the healthy love you need with my favorite, must-have NaNoWriMo food stuffs:
Lemons (I love me some lemon water!)
Loads Of Water
Caramel Macchiato Ingredients (for treat time)
Pre-Chopped Veggies (for snacks)
Chips & Salsa (because also, snacks)
Chickpeas (pre-soaked for easy falafel making)
Chocolate (for more treat time)
Fresh Fruit (peaches, plums & oranges)
Stevia (to avoid sugar crashes)
Overnight Oats & Berries
Homemade Cookies
Must Have APP’s
From maintaining a writing flow to sharing my work, learning from past NaNo champions to getting in the zone, I’ve found that having the right apps significantly increases my chances of writing success. Here’s what I use:
Pomodoro
Macbook Notes
YouTube (for playlists)
iPhone Timer App (for free-flow sprint tracking)
Twitter (for support)
Instagram (for sharing)
Marvin Ebook Reader (for iPad)
Pinterest (for vision boarding)
Reddit (for research & fun)
Asana (for task organization)
Must Have Inspirational Goods
Finally, what NaNoWriMo Survival Kit would be complete without some inspiration? Take a look at what I keep near me to load up on inspiration when I’m feeling blerg:
Binaural Beats (YouTube playlist)
Midnight In Paris (for Hemingway's gumption)
Harry Potter movies (to feel the magic)
Dolemite (for the commited hustle)
Affirmation Journal
Vision Board (on Pinterest)
Julie & Julia (for Julia's tenacity)
Marijuana (for lackluster writing days)
Vodka Limeade's (see above)
Tarot Cards
MasterClass: Neil Gaiman
MasterClass: Margaret Atwood
Pictures Of Oprah (always and forever)
A Good View
Daily Beach/Nature Outings
New Fiction Books